Istanbul is the capital city of Turkey with a population of 15,655,924 inhabitants, making it one of the world's largest megacities. Discover its history, landmarks, and cultural heritage.
Notable personalities born in Istanbul include: Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Orhan Pamuk, Dani Rodrik.
Istanbul in Turkey
Population
15,655,924
inhabitants
Area
5,343.0
km²
Elevation
100
m
Density
2,930
inh./km²
Coordinates
41.0° N
29.0° E
29.0° E
Istanbul Population Evolution
The population of Istanbul in 2026 is estimated to 15,849,400 inhabitants. This estimate is taken from our extrapolation of available data and not an official estimate.
Population Summary
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1922 | 710,286 | |
| 1965 | 2,293,823 | +222.9% |
| 2000 | 10,018,735 | +336.8% |
| 2014 | 14,377,018 | +43.5% |
| 2023 | 15,655,924 | +8.9% |
Interactive Map of Istanbul
Points of Interest
What to see in Istanbul
Hagia Sophia
Topkapı Palace
Atatürk Airport
15 July Martyrs Bridge
Sublime Porte
Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge
Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge
Hagia Irene
Famous People Born in Istanbul
Orhan Pamuk
screenwriter
Born 1952
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
politician
Born 1954
Dani Rodrik
economist
Born 1957